Fantasy Football Week 8: Top Plays at Every Position

If the Saints' Jimmy Graham is active, you have to play him, but it doesn't look good for Week 8.

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If you thought setting your fantasy lineup was tough thus far this season, you are in for a rude awakening the next few weeks. Half of the NFL is going on bye Week 8 through Week 10, and we are already coming off a devastating week of injuries.

This makes Bleacher Report's Top Plays at Every Position as important as ever in navigating the fantasy minefield this week.

Get all of the news, matchup analysis and rankings by position in this six-part slideshow.

Quarterbacks: We Should Still Be Sticking to Our Big Guns

Andrew Luck and Philip Rivers are the elite options on bye, while Jay Cutler (groin) and Matt Schaub (ankle) were going to be out of play because of injury anyway. No one will truly miss Joe Flacco or Jake Locker, although they have had their moments in two-quarterback formats.

Vick Returning Before He's Ready?

A division game against the suspect Giants is enough to have the Eagles try to work Michael Vick (hamstring) back before he's ready. The Giants, despite a solid performance Monday night, are the sixth-worst team in fantasy against quarterbacks, according to FFToday.com, and Jordan Raanan of NJ.com reports Vick took almost all of the first-team snaps in practice this week. Assuming Vick starts, the matchup is enough to make him a play in fantasy leagues.

"This is not an issue or situation to play around with," Vick told NJ.com. "I'm not up here playing games or blowing smoke. I'm just trying to figure out what's the best situation."

Pryor Performance Not Enough

Though the Oakland Raiders' Terrelle Pryor has had his moments, you should not like him against the Steelers defense this week. Pittsburgh has been the No. 1 team in fantasy against quarterbacks. The Steelers are No. 2 against the pass and have allowed a league-low five touchdown passes.

Like Him More

We should continue to be bullish with the likes of star quarterbacks Matt Ryan and Tom Brady. Despite the issues with their targets, they are still what makes their teams go. Ryan proved it last week for fantasy owners with his three-touchdown performance. Brady has Rob Gronkowski back and might be getting Danny Amendola (concussion) back, too.

Ryan and Brady are among the quarterbacks we like more than the consensus this week:

You should love Robert Griffin III's matchup against the Broncos, who have been the second-worst team in fantasy against quarterbacks. Also, you should love the fact RG3 has found a budding star in tight end Jordan Reed. Still, though, we see good, not great, numbers for the disappointing quarterback here. The Redskins are not as high-volume of a passing team as some of the opponents that have made the Broncos look vulnerable.

Outside of getting Steven Jackson (hamstring) and DeMarco Murray (knee) back at practice this week and in play for fantasy owners, it is time to dip into the depths of the running-back position. We help you do so below.

Packers Pounding the Ball Now

It has taken years, but Green Bay is finally getting back to its roots of pounding the ball on the ground. A healthy, steady rookie in Eddie Lacy certainly helps. Lacy not only leads the NFL with 301 yards rushing the past three weeks, but the Packers also had James Starks and Johnathan Franklin each rush for 100 yards before Lacy returned from his concussion.

This spells bad news for the Vikings, who are the worst team in fantasy against running backs, even allowing Peyton Hillis to prove fantasy viable off the street Monday night. The Packers are without Randall Cobb (knee) and Jermichael Finley (neck), and James Jones (knee) continues to be unable to practice. The Packers have turned to the running game, which should eventually help Aaron Rodgers in the play-action pass.

"You've got to run them out of a two-shell, and that's what we've done," running backs coach Alex Van Pelt told ESPN's Rob Demovsky. "We're there right now. It's coming around."

Campbell's Soup Won't Taste So Good

The Browns are turning to Jason Campbell as their quarterback this week, but it figures to be a tough situation against the Chiefs defense in Kansas City. Campbell is a game manager who needs a running game, but don't count on the Browns mustering much with shaky veteran Willis McGahee against the third-best team in fantasy against running backs.

We even rate Chris Ogbonnaya as the better play among Browns backs because his potential in the short passing game is what the limited Campbell needs.

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We are going to assume the Cowboys' Murray is playing this week, so you should get him active in such a tough week for viable running-back options. Owner Jerry Jones told The Dallas Morning News' David Moore he likes what he has seen of Murray in practice, too.

Murray leads the backs we like considerably more than the consensus below:

DeMarco Murray (knee)

Kendall Hunter

Jason Snelling

Chris Ogbonnaya

Robert Turbin

Like Him Less

While you can like the emergence of Zac Stacy as the Rams' feature back, you have to hate the fact he will have Kellen Clemens as his starting quarterback now that Sam Bradford (knee) is out for the year. Stacy is a bad-to-terrible play against the Seahawks run defense, which is No. 5 in the NFL.

Stacy is going to see a lot of eight-man boxes, which is why he leads the backs we like less than the masses this week:

Wide Receivers: Depth of the Position Makes for Less Problems Here

There are so many viable wide receivers to go around in fantasy that even six bye teams cannot really put a damper on our lineups. Sure, we will miss the likes of Torrey Smith, Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, Kendall Wright, T.Y. Hilton, Keenan Allen, Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins, but the myriad options below soften the blow of injuries and absences at this position.

Anticipate a Giant Rebound

There have been a number of reasons Hakeem Nicks has been a bum for fantasy owners. First, Eli Manning has been an interception machine. Second, the offensive line hasn't given the Giants time to throw. Third, Rueben Randle has emerged to steal some targets, particularly in the red zone. And, finally, when everything goes right and Nicks does get thrown to, he has dropped it too often—like he did Monday night.

The Eagles are next on the schedule, though, so all three of Manning's targets, Victor Cruz, Nicks and Randle, are viable starters. The Eagles have been the worst team in fantasy against wide receivers, allowing league-worst totals in receptions (122), yards (1,555) and touchdowns (14).

Amendola Returning Too Soon?

Danny Amendola (concussion) has been practicing on a limited basis this week, according to the NFL Injury Report, but don't expect the Patriots and Bill Belichick to be forthcoming with any information until the Sunday inactives come out.

Amendola is about as "game-time decision" as it gets this week, and the fact the Dolphins are No. 3 in fantasy against wide receivers and haven't allowed a touchdown reception to the position all year might lead you to avoid him, despite our optimistic ranking below.

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Josh Gordon is coming off his first bad week and has to contend with the Browns' quarterback change to Jason Campbell, as well as the Chiefs defense, but he is still too good to sit in any fantasy league, particularly amid this heavy bye week and the injuries of late.

The Jarrett Boykin phenomenon is legit, especially because James Jones (knee) still isn't practicing, according to the official NFL Injury Report. The matchup against the Vikings is also favorable. What we don't necessarily like is it could be a busy week for Eddie Lacy, James Starks and even Johnathan Franklin on the ground, and Jordy Nelson through the air.

Boykin is a must-start in all leagues, but he still rates as one of the wideouts we like less than the consensus this week:

The potential absence of Jimmy Graham might propel Rob Gronkowski to the top of the rankings.

We finally get Rob Gronkowski back into fantasy lineups and now we have to deal with another potential week without Jimmy Graham (foot). He missed practice again Thursday, according to the official NFL Injury Report, and Larry Holder of The Times-Picayune reports the Saints are readying Ben Watson to start.

That is disappointing news for those hoping they wouldn't need anyone but Graham at the position from here on out. Despite our No. 1 ranking of him below, you have to expect him to be on the wrong side of Sunday's game-time decision. Have a replacement handy.

Gonzalez Headed for Big Week

Atlanta's Tony Gonzalez wasn't himself last week against the Bucs, coming off two huge weeks before the bye, which is particularly surprising with the Falcons having injuries to Julio Jones (foot) and Roddy White (ankle/hamstring). Expect Gonzalez to be a one-man wrecking crew against a Cardinals defense that has been the worst in fantasy against tight ends to date.

You Have the Wrong Jordan Now?

Jordan Cameron might be giving way to Jordan Reed as the breakthrough tight end of the year. The Browns' Cameron hasn't slowed enough to sit in fantasy, but Reed was a monster last week and the Browns have some things to be worried about if you are a Cameron owner this week: 1) Jason Campbell is taking over for Brandon Weeden. 2) The Chiefs are the No. 1 team in fantasy against tight ends. Keep Cameron active, but be wary of what the quarterback change and matchup might do to his numbers.

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Kyle Rudolph had his best performance in Week 6 before putting up that stinker with Josh Freeman (concussion) Monday night. The likely move back to Christian Ponder could be a good thing for Rudolph owners. After all, it was Ponder who made Rudolph such a potent weapon in the red zone a year ago and a top-10 pick at the position this preseason.

Rudolph leads the tight ends we like more than most this week:

Kyle Rudolph

Anthony Fasano

Brandon Myers

Lance Kendricks

Marcedes Lewis

Like Him Less

Before we go anointing the Redskins' Reed a fantasy star, we should proceed with caution. Not so much caution that we sit him, but don't expect consistent numbers week to week. The Broncos are better than they have played in the secondary.

Defense/Special Teams: We Have to Turn to Some Softer Units This Week

There is no shortage of streaming options as we rate some of the softer defenses as viable options this week, including Green Bay, New Orleans and Philadelphia. Even the resurgent units of the Steelers and Jets rank among the starters with the sliding Ravens, Texans and Bears on a bye.

Giants Matchup Too Good to Ignore?

Throw out the Monday-night performance against the Vikings. They stink. The Giants are still the second-worst team in fantasy against opposing defense/special teams. The Eagles embarrassed the Giants back in Week 5 on the road, finishing among the top eight fantasy units in standard-scoring leagues. You have to figure the circumstances will be better at home here in Week 8.

Cowboy Down Instead of Up?

The Cowboys have been one of the biggest surprises at this position, sitting No. 2 behind only the Chiefs in standard scoring to date. We still rate their unit outside of the top 12 options this week, though, because the Cowboys are facing the Lions, who have been the third-toughest opponent for opposing defensive units in fantasy to date. You might have no choice but to start them, but the matchup could be a deal breaker if you have one of those higher-ranking units below.

Like Them More

The Pats have had significant injuries to their defense, but their unit is still one of the trustworthy options at the position this week—especially since the Dolphins have been the seventh most favorable matchup for opposing defenses.

The Pats are among the teams we like more than the consensus below:

New England Patriots

New York Jets

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Dallas Cowboys

Like Them Less

You might not have noticed in the Falcons' disappointing start to the season, but Atlanta has been the toughest matchup for opposing defenses. For that reason, we rank the Cardinals among the defenses we like less than the masses this week:

Kickers: Having Someone Through Their Bye Is Reason Enough to Like Him Here

Dan's Still Your Man: Dan Bailey has cooled after a hot start, but he still rates among our kicker starts.

The bye weeks have the tendency to create some waiver opportunities at the kicker position. The best of those likely cut this week include Justin Tucker—a preseason top-seven option—Adam Vinatieri and Nick Novak.

You could pick up any of those three this weekend or next Tuesday night and be set for the season at the position.

In the meantime…

Bailey Back in Fantasy's Good Graces

The Cowboys' Dan Bailey has had some lean weeks after a torrid start, but he looks to rebound against a Lions team that has allowed the second most field goals in the NFL to date (18). Only the idle Ravens have allowed more (19). Bailey remains a start, barely, before he finally goes on a bye.

Pack up Walsh for the Week

The hamstring injury isn't enough to consider moving away from the Vikings' Blair Walsh, but their quarterback issues and the matchup against the Packers are reasons to. The Packers are tied with the Saints for allowing the fewest made field goals thus far this season. Walsh is far less of a sure thing in fantasy, especially coming off that stinker Monday night.

Like Them More

We have been jockeying Mason Crosby as one of the resurgent kicker stars in fantasy and continue to like him more than the consensus. The absence of some of the Packers' premium receivers and a renewed emphasis on the running game have helped Crosby, too.

Here are the kickers we like more than others this week:

Mason Crosby

Ryan Succop

Caleb Sturgis

Shaun Suisham

Josh Brown

Like Them Less

We cannot be sure the Giants have truly turned their defense around, but they cannot possibly be as bad as they had looked before Week 7, right? It is perhaps the only reason to be a bit more wary of Alex Henery as a must-start fantasy kicker.